Media Titans: Alan Berg versus Charlie Kirk - Battle of Traditional vs Modern Journalism
In the shocking turn of events, right-wing activist and media personality Charlie Kirk was murdered while debating with students at Utah Valley University. The suspect arrested in connection with the heinous crime is named Tyler Robinson, who was apprehended in St. George, Utah. Since his detention, Robinson has remained largely silent, offering little insight into the motives behind the assassination.
Kirk, thirty-one, was known for his outspoken stance on a variety of hotly contested topics, often stoking controversy. His views on gay and transgender rights, in particular, were divisive, sparking heated debates and polarizing opinions. However, some coverage pretended that Kirk wasn't often inflammatory or divisive, possibly out of fear of being accused of politicizing his killing.
The story of political violence is complex and contextualized, and it was feared, after a gunman tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump on the campaign trail last year, that the situation might degenerate into an out-of-control tit for tat. However, the worst-case scenario didn't come to pass, or at least, if you believe it still might, is revealing itself slowly.
In the immediate aftermath of Kirk's murder, the police didn't seem to have any idea who had killed him or why. This lack of clarity was reminiscent of the case of Alan Berg, a talk radio host who was murdered in Denver in June 1984. Like Kirk, Berg was outspoken and often stoked controversy, and his murder was met with shock and confusion. After Berg's murder, the police said they had "zero" idea who had killed him or why.
The story of Alan Berg, who was Jewish and murdered by members of The Order, a neo-Nazi group, was not brought up in many old-media coverage of Kirk's killing. This omission was noted by some leading old-media voices, who suggested that social media discourse following Kirk's murder was not representative of the online majority's reaction, which was one of shared grief.
In the wake of Kirk's murder, some cable news hosts and social media trolls, who have huge followings and direct lines to the White House, are preaching messages of retaliatory war. This has led to growing concern about the state of political discourse and the potential for further violence.
Notably, Donald Trump posted a video blaming the "radical left" for inciting violence and threatening reprisals, even before a suspect in Kirk's assassination had been identified. This was met with criticism from some news organizations, who have not consistently been able to frame the pretext that Trump is claiming from Kirk's killing with due urgency or clarity.
The tragedy of Charlie Kirk's death has prompted a wave of reflection on the state of political discourse and the potential for violence. Hasan Piker described the attack on Kirk as a "wake-up call," while Governor Spencer Cox of Utah decried it as a "tragic day for our nation."
Rob Eshman of The Forward and John Ganz, who wrote about Charlie Kirk's killing in their respective essays on their Substack platforms, have also contributed to the ongoing conversation about the complex and contentious nature of political violence. Berg's attacks were usually on the intelligence of his callers and guests or their ideas on serious issues, but the lasting impact of his murder continues to be felt today.
As the investigation into Charlie Kirk's murder continues, it is hoped that the truth will come to light and that the tragic events of that day will serve as a reminder of the importance of respectful and civil discourse.
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